Family, friends, fireworks and food – It’s 4th of July week and for many of us, that means BBQ’s and Potlucks. So what are we bringing? This week we’re digging into our archives to offer some of our all-time favorite seasonal family-friendly dishes to brighten any BBQ or Potluck.
Happy 4th!
Blueberry picking has been an annual summer tradition in my family for seven years now. As a Southern California native, berry picking was not an activity I grew up with. But fortunately for my kids, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to move to Vancouver B.C. for a brief time when they were two. What a gift. While Blackberry bushes thickly lined the paths down to the sparkling sea, U-pick blueberry farms were only a short drive away – and we found ourselves taking that drive many times that summer. (more…)
School is officially out for summer, and berry picking is in full swing. With deep red strawberries, plump blueberries and vibrant blackberries already decorating U-pick farms and backyards across the country – it’s clear it’s summer and it’s berry season! (more…)
Last week we made Olive Oil Kale Crisps, a fun and delicious way to introduce kids to the incredibly nutritious vegetable, Kale. But where do we go from here? The kids like the Kale as chips, but ONLY as chips, yet the beautiful bunches of brightly colored Kale call to me every Saturday at the farmers market. I know we can only make so many batches of Kale chips before they tire of them – so how else can we prepare this incredibly nutritious vegetable? How can we turn it into a meal they will enjoy? (more…)
Kale has always been a challenging vegetable for kids to eat, let alone like. I’ll be honest, Kale wasn’t even on my radar for years. Now I see piles of different varieties of this beautiful vegetable at the farmers market and my fingers itch to bring them all home to my family. There is Tuscan Kale (also known as Dinosaur Kale or Cavolo Nero), Curly Kale and even a variety with vibrant purple edges. (more…)
On Saturday May 19th, the world stood up for Real Food by participating in events in honor of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day. Representing Los Angeles, Out of the Box Food, together with Jennifer McColm and the city of Calabasas empowered kids to join in the movement by holding a community-wide event, Food Revolution Kids Day at the Calabasas Farmers Market…and what a Revolution it was. Armed with a reusable grocery bag, a wristband and a farmers market “treasure map”, kids from all over the Los Angeles area explored the Calabasas Farmers Market in search of fresh produce from local farmers. The discovery of farm fresh carrots from McGrath Family Farm, healthy mushrooms from LAFungHi, and gorgeous fruit from farmer/HealthierGeneration.org representative, Gene Etheridge of Etheridge Organics, inspired kids to try new, fresh produce. Throughout the markets, kids were seen sampling fruits and vegetables, engaged in conversation with farmers, planting basil to be grown at home, and creating their own farm-fresh recipes – It was truly a sight to warm the heart. (more…)
This week, in honor of Mother’s Day, Out of the Box Food is sharing a healthy and delicious snack for moms and kids alike (Ah, who are we kidding….everyone will love ’em: dads, grandparents, friends, friends-of-friends, cousins of friends-of-friends…you get the gist) These Rosemary-Garlic Almonds are delicious and nutritious and by starting with whole, raw almonds, we have control over the sodium in this wholesome snack. (more…)
If you’re anything like me, May is filled with end of school-year activities and projects…summer beckoning from only a short distance away. I am honored and excited to share my biggest project of the month (well, heck…of the year) and if you’re in the Los Angeles area I invite you to bring your family and join us! (more…)
THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Monique B.! Monique will be receiving her very own copy of Karen Le Billon’s, French Kids Eat Everything
We’re giving away a copy of French Kids Eat Everything!
Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post and you’ll be entered to win your own copy of French Kids Eat Everything, an inspirational book filled with useful tips, tricks and philosophy to help get our kids on a healthy eating path. TO ENTER: Let us know which of the 10 French Food Rules you’d either like to implement in your house, how you’re already making that rule stick, or just pop on and to say Bonjour. Want to earn EVEN MORE entries? Here’s how: (more…)
Imagine dropping your kids off at school, knowing that come lunch time, they would gather at a communal table set with China plates and kid-size cutlery and enjoy a meal such as, “Endive salad with Emmental and croutons, Alaskan hake with organic pan -fried potatoes, blue cheese, and plain yogurt, with Apricots in honey syrup” over the course of their mandatory minimum of 30 minutes at the table. And like it. Imagine. (more…)